Having a broadcaster from the opposing team join your pre-game show isn’t that unusual. Having him serenade you with a One Direction song? That’s a little more unusual. But that’s what happened on the Fox Sports Kansas City pre-game show ahead of the Kansas City Royals’ game with the Chicago White Sox Friday. Hosts Joel Goldberg and Jeff Montgomery brought in White Sox broadcaster Jason Benetti, and Benetti brought his singing voice:
You're BEAUTIFUL, according to @jasonbenetti. #Royals pic.twitter.com/8R4qHeOyRO
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) July 14, 2018
Yes, that’s a take on One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful,” and it’s a pretty good one. The way Benetti raises his mic at the end is great, too. As per Goldberg, this is a tradition:
On top of being one of the best announcers in the country, we love @jasonbenetti for participating in a tradition of singing boy band songs when he’s our guest. Tonight a career highlight for me! https://t.co/O5vUPxxK29
— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) July 14, 2018
This isn’t the first unusual thing we’ve seen from Benetti, including four flights and three games in 26 hours (across CSN Chicago and ESPN) last fall. But it’s a fun one, and he sold it well.
[H/T to Ben Heisler on Twitter]
About Andrew Bucholtz
Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.